Health: Paalala ukol sa MERS-CoV from the DOH

Ang Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) ay isang viral respiratory illness. It is caused by a coronavirus, a large family of viruses, from the common cold to servere acute respiratory syndrome o SARS. However, MERS-CoV is not SARS. It was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

MERS-CoV: Transmission mode

Image from http://www.getbeauteous.com/2015/02/mers-cov-enters-philippines-learn-how.html

The US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control defines close contact as: a) being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters) or within the room or care area for a prolonged period of time (e.g., healthcare personnel, household members) while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment (i.e., gowns, gloves, respirator, eye protection); or b) having direct contact with infectious secretions of a confirmed or probable case (e.g., being coughed on) while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment (i.e., gowns, gloves, respirator, eye protection).

Image from http://newday.blogs.cnn.com/2014/05/18/how-is-mers-spread-how-contagious-is-it/

The following countries have reported cases of MERS:

Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen (Middle East); France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and the United Kingdom (UK) (Europe); Tunisia and Egypt (Africa); Malaysia and the Philippines (Asia); and the United States of America (Americas).